Elections

Sarah Palin – Wardrobe Malfunction?

What do you think of the RNC’s Sarah Palin spending spree?

-Carrie Seim

Editor’s Note: The following is one Betty’s opinion.BettyConfidential.com welcomes all opinions and doesn’t endorse anyparticular candidate or political party.

Sarah Palin — Diva of the Yukon?

You’ve no doubt heard the story first broken by Politico’s Jeanne Cummings. The Republican National Committee has shelled out in excess of $150,000 to make Palin look more “Barbie” and less “Caribou.”

The RNC’s tab for Palin’s makeover includes:

• $75,062.63 on a Nieman Marcus shopping spree in early September• $49,425.74 in bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York • $4,716.49 on hair and makeup

Sounds like Pretty Woman-gate to me.

Once the expenses were splashed across the news Tuesday, the campaign announced plans to donate her clothes to charity after the election. Just like poor Julia Roberts, Palin may have to face the tough streets of Alaska without her fancy red heels after the party’s over.

My initial/shallow reaction? Is that all $150,000 gets you? Palin’s pricey wardrobe just seems sort of “eh.” She could have found those outfits at Chico’s or an Ann Taylor sale bin. And her red patent pumps are straight out of Dynasty. She should have asked Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama for some style pointers. Can you imagine that trip to the mall?

I do feel sorry for Palin. Not because I think she’s being unfairly criticized as a woman (see John Kerry‘s haircut debacle). But because this was clearly not her mistake. Someone in the RNC had a brilliant plan to give her a mommy makeover fit for a hotel heiress – not a hockey mom. She went along with the plan like a good sartorial soldier, but she was obviously just as happy in her denim skirts and winter parkas.

Is this an anomaly?

According to Chron.com, “A spokesman for Barack Obama said the Democratic presidential nominee and running mate Joe Biden had not received clothing or accessories from the campaign or the Democratic National Committee. ” However, the same aide did say that the campaign does pay for Obama’s hair and makeup expenses for television interviews.

And of course it’s pretty obvious that John and Cindy McCain can afford their own fancy duds. (Remember Cindy’s $300,000 outfit?)